Red Tongue and Fever: Kawasaki Disease Vs. Strep Throat Newer Comments → Mike My wife had Kawasaki’s at the age of 11. She remembers the high fever, strawberry tongue and she said it looked and felt like her eyes were bleeding. She was a very active kid and her heart was in good shape, so the Doctors told her that she did so well responding to treatment because she was in such good physical shape. They did not hospitalize her, but rather put her on high doses of aspirin for the first month, and for several months thereafter. She didn’t remember ever having an IV of any kind. She remembers the Doctors mentioning how deadly this disease was and that she needed to to exactly what she was told. They treated her as she stayed home from school for several months. This occurred in the mid 1980’s in Kingsville, TX. I asked her to tell me about her experience so I could share it with you after reading this article. She remembers the recovery taking a very long time.

She remembers an entire month of intense therapy treating the Kawasaki’s, two more months of rest out of school, an entire year of aspirin therapy as they weaned her back off of that, and it was probably about 4 months before she could begin to re-engage in the school sports that she loved so much. The family and the Doctors watched her closely for the next two years to make sure no major effects had taken place; especially since she was such an active kid. I guess they were worried that her activity would be hindered by longer lasting effects. Last thought from her, the Doctors in Kingsville were credited by her and her family and teachers as diagnosing the condition immediately. They were very aggressive at running down what this was and starting treatment within a few days of the symptoms appearing. After reading your article, she doesn’t know why they never hospitalized her. Its a mystery… Denisa Our Family Doctor was against hospitalizing children that could be treated at home by responsible adults. He thought it was dangerous to expose their compromised immune systems to even more illnesses. He also thought the stress of removing a young child from the home could weaken the immune system enough to delay recovery.

He warned us against overuse of antibiotics and offered home remedy recipes for symptom relief. He was a firm believer in quarantine and often made house calls to prevent the spread of illness in his waiting room. He came to our home in the 1980’s for a follow up after our kids had chicken pox and had us burn our blankets before he left, just to be sure. I do miss his thoroughness. Sounds like a great guy. Mike Mike, Kawasaki Disease was first recognized here in the U.S. in the 1970’s. Here’s a history Depending on when your wife was treated, perhaps that was the standard of care at that time. Sherry Biele When my boys were 3 and 4 yrs. of age my oldest presented with a rash of blood blisters and swollen joints. After several doctors and mistreatments we ended up in Mt. Sinai NYC where the doctor diagnosed HSP. Said it would never come back …it did 3 years later.Very scary illness. He was hospitalized both times. He was bleeding internally which caused the stomach pain and vomiting.

Six months after this his younger brother has a very high fever and rash and then the skin of his palms and feet peeled off in one large sheet of skin. He had sores in his mouth besides the red tongue. They treated him with steroids and he became puffy, itchy, and pasty looking.We found out around that time that he was allergic to penecillin.Or so we were told. Again, it took several weeks until an infectious disease specialist was brought in and diagnosed Kawasaki Syndrome. They didn’t treat it because it had been 3-4weeks before our doctors gave up and sent us to the specialist We researched it ourselves and took him to a cardiologist who performed and echo cardiogram and we had one done every six months for several years just to make sure there was no damage. Both boys are now in their thirties and very healthy. Thank the Lord. The only link that we could find that might have caused the Kawasaki was we did have our rugs cleaned about every 8 months when they were young and crawling around. A year later there was an article in the paper about an outbreak of Kawasaki in several children who attended the same nursery school. They had just had their rugs cleaned….so who knows?????

Sherry, thanks for sharing your experiences. They’re lucky to have such persistent parents. Charlene LaFosse Our Son was exactly 3 months old when he started with the fever on 11/22. The next day,Thanksgiving Day, he was very sensitive to any positional changes and we brought him to the ER thinking it was an ear infection….over the next seven days his 104+ fever continued we watched, and reported all the transient symptoms to our family practice. (all over prickly rash that faded to be replaced with a swollen blotchy rash on his thigh, soles of his feet, fingers and palms of his hands; blood red lips, one bright red blood vessel in an eye that faded to normal within an hour; a blood stain in his diaper; strawberry tongue; and finally an alarmingly swollen belly that caused his inny belly button to “pop” to an outie. The only response I got from the on call Doctor was that it was a virus and would resolve. On day 7 I demanded an appointment with another Doctor for a 2nd opinion and he was alarmed at Bobby’s condition.

Bobby was immediately hospitalized (11/27) and suspected of either sepsis, meningitis or Kawasaki Disease. A battery of tests including abdominal x-ray confirmed multiple blood abnormalities and a significantly enlarged liver and spleen. He was transferred to Children’s Hospital Boston who confirmed it was KD on day 8 (11/28). His coronary arteries were already dilated to 4mm and he was quickly placed on multiple blood thinners. Bobby was resistant to the IVIG treatment and received many different treatments designed to minimize inflammation. Unfortunately, due to the caustic treatments, he developed a serious GI bleed and all medications (including anticoagulants) had to be stopped for 24 hours resulting in 5 coronary clots. His aneurysms at the time ranged from 6.5 – 8.5. A clot busting med was administered but had to be discontinued when he developed internal bleeding in his elbow (they had drawn blood from the site the night before to check his heparin level) The swelling got so bad they called in a pediatric surgeon to confirm circulation was not obstructed to his hand.

A week later the clots had stabilized and we were discharged from the hospital (12/22). We returned to Children’s Hospital on 12/26 for a follow-up echo that found one of the clots had enlarged and threatened to close off an artery, he was readmitted and TPA was once again administered. Again he had an adverse reaction – unable to control bleeding from the central line placed hours before administering the med and TPA was discontinued. We had no choice but to “wait and see” for 24 hours. Our prayers were answered and Bobby’s clot stabilized and the threadlike structures below it had cleared. We stayed another week to assure all anticoagulants were in therapeutic range and finally released on New Years Day. (32 total days at Children’s Hospital) Over the next year his aneurysms showed remodeling and regression. A cardiocatherization completed at 15 months old confirmed the artery was smooth with no pooling or stenosis and he was able to discontinue 2 of the 3 anticoagulants. He is now 6, soon to be 7, years old and is a picture of health.

His aneurysms are no larger than 4 mm, he is only on 81mg of aspirin daily and has no activity restrictions. We are adamant that our son is alive today because the Pediatrician at our local hospital correctly diagnosed KD and transferred his care to Dr. Jane Newburger at Children’s Hospital. We are eternally grateful and cherish every day with Bobby. What an ordeal. I’m so glad everything turned out so well in the long run. M My son had Kawasaki Disease a year ago–he was 3 and a half years old. We feel fortunate to have been diagnosed and treated quickly as we have a good relationship with our pediatrician (in NYC) who spent a long time on the phone with us over a holiday weekend and took our concerns regarding our child’s symptoms seriously. He (as well as some other family members at home) had all tested positive for stept at around the same time. It is believed that the strept infection triggered the kawasaki disease response. He was hospitalized for a few days and treated with ivig as well as antibiotics for scarlet fever–as the team of specialists assigned to him determined necessary.

We had several cardiology follow-ups and he remained on aspirin for a few months too. Based on other parents’ accounts as well as the media–it seems we were lucky to have not had such a dramatic diagnosis. We had an obviously sick child and are thrilled all the people involved noticed it immediately as well. It does sound like everyone did a great job. Thanks for sharing. Renee Both of my children had Kawasaki’s. My son was 2 1/2 yrs old. He had all the symptoms for 10 days. Nobody knew what he had until a Dr on call had read an article on Kawasaki’s and properly diagnosed him. Fortunately, he has had no ill effects. He is 26 now and healthy. My daughter was 5 months old when my son was diagnosed. She came down with it within the next year. We recognized the symptoms quickly and started treatment. She is also a healthy 24 year old. Doctors in emergency rooms kept telling me my son had the flu and to go home. I knew it was more. If I had not been persistent and a Dr finally admitted him due to dehydration, my son could have had lasting effects or worse, be dead. GO WITH YOUR GUT!

If you know something is wrong…keep at it until someone listens. Thanks, Renee. Yes, sometimes you’ve got to take the reins. I’ve learned over the years that a mom’s intuition about her child is something to take very seriously. Shawna My son had Kawaski’s 12 years ago at the age of 7 yrs, He had all the classical signs but also had cauliflower look a like around is private areas. Long story short he was so sick that he actually was out of school for a year and 12 years later still has medial problems. Including heart disease. He couldn’t play sports all through school and has had to go out of state for medical treatment for years. He now has a rare kidney disease that medicine brought on. His temperature was 107 for about 2 days with the kawaskis but fevered continuously for a year and had recurrent fevers for many years afterwards that was diagnosed as Periodic Fever Syndrome. My brothers daughter was also diagnosed with this a year earlier at the age of 13 months.

She was sick like my son and only lived 30 days after the onset, She was in the hospital most of the time but had too many aneurisms on her little heart, This could be a serious disease and if you suspect Kawaski’s get to the Drs right away. Tongue Problems Symptoms, Treatment, Causes - White tongue - MedicineNet Medical Author: Donna S. Bautista, DDS Donna S. Bautista, DDS Dr. Donna S. Bautista, DDS, completed her undergraduate studies at the University of California, San Diego with a bachelor of arts in biochemistry and cell biology. During her time at UC San Diego, she was involved in basic research including studying processes related to DNA transcription in the field of molecular biology. Upon graduation, she went on to attend dental school at the University of California, San Francisco. In addition to her formal dental training, she provided dental care for underserved communities in the Bay Area through clinics and health fairs. She also worked toward mentoring high school students interested in the field of dentistry. Medical Editor: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR Dr.

Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology. Share Your Story Color changes related to the tongue can range from a benign concern to one that requires medical attention. Often, a white tongue could be caused by a removable coating of food debris or bacterial plaque. Otherwise, the following are some common causes of white tongue -- a fungal infection referred to as oral thrush , leukoplakia , oral lichen planus , hairy leukoplakia, and linea alba. Oral thrush (or candidiasis ) is a caused by an overgrowth of yeast in the mouth. The white patches can be scraped off to expose a red surface on the tongue. Illnesses, medications, stress , and antibiotic treatment can cause oral thrush by throwing off the balance of natural bacteria in the mouth. Lozenges, tablets, or liquid antifungals are used for treatment.

Leukoplakia is characterized by white patches that cannot be scraped off and may be related to chronic irritation in the mouth, although the cause is not always known. Tobacco use is the most common factor that contributes to leukoplakia. The condition may resolve after smoking cessation . Sometimes the patches are on the sides of the tongue and could be related to constant rubbing next to the lower teeth . Although leukoplakia is usually benign, it can be the precursor to oral cancer . The risk of cancer increases with the age of the individual, size of the lesion, and number of lesions present. A biopsy may be recommended after clinical evaluation by the doctor. Sometimes, the area can be monitored for changes by the doctor. Monitoring is usually performed during routine dental visits or during visits with an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist. Oral lichen planus on the tongue is a chronic inflammatory condition caused by an autoimmune response (the body's immune system attacking its own tissue). It is characterized by a white lace-like pattern called reticular lichen planus.

(There is an erosive form that presents as shallow ulcerations and can be treated with topical steroids.) Regular monitoring of this condition is recommended for any changes that (although rare) could lead to oral cancer. A biopsy may be recommended. Hairy leukoplakia is a white patch on the side of the tongue that appears hairy or rough. This condition is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus and is usually related to immunocompromised individuals. HIV testing should be considered if hairy leukoplakia appears without a known immunocompromising condition. Antiviral medications such as acyclovir ( Zovirax ) may be used. Recurrence of hairy leukoplakia is common. Linea alba is a benign condition that is characterized by a thin white line at the lateral borders of the tongue. It is caused by the thickening of the epithelium due to trauma or irritation from chewing. No treatment is necessary for linea alba. Red tongue There are obvious causes of red color change, such as something you ate (strawberries or red-colored foods). Some acidic foods can cause temporary redness and discomfort. However, a red tongue can be a sign of an underlying medical condition.

Some red color changes on the tongue ("strawberry tongue") could be related to a vitamin deficiency, Kawasaki disease , or a strep infection ( scarlet fever ). Erythroplakia is a red area or lesion that cannot be rubbed off on the tongue (except for the color, it is similar to leukoplakia). A lesion with a combined white and red appearance is called erythroleukoplakia. These lesions are all considered to have premalignant potential. Erythroplakia and erythroleukoplakia have an increased risk of premalignancy compared to leukoplakia. In addition to appearance, cause for concern can be if the lesion or sore does not go away or grows in size. A biopsy is recommended by an oral surgeon or an ENT specialist to rule out oral cancer. Black tongue Share Your Story A black tongue is usually a harmless condition that can be caused by medications, smoking , poor oral hygiene, soft diet , or dry mouth . A black tongue is usually associated with elongated tongue papillae and thus, it is called "black hairy tongue " (lingua villosa nigra).

The cause is thought to be a change in the normal bacteria in the mouth after antibiotic treatment or use of products that contain bismuth such as Pepto-Bismol . ("Hairy tongue" by itself can also be white or tan.) Treatment may involve improving one's diet , smoking cessation, and improved oral hygiene (including gently brushing or scraping the tongue). Medically Reviewed by a Doctor on 12/18/2015 What Is Strawberry Tongue? (with pictures) What Is Strawberry Tongue? Last Modified Date: 31 December 2016 Copyright Protected: Top 10 unbelievable historical concurrencies Strawberry tongue is a physical exam finding in which the upper surface of a patient’s tongue has a distinct red coloration and a characteristic bumpy appearance because of inflammation of the taste buds. This condition is most closely associated with scarlet fever , a childhood illness that is caused by a certain type of bacteria. Toxic shock syndrome, another bacterial infection, also is associated with this tongue abnormality. Kawasaki's disease is another cause of the symptom. Strawberry tongue should be differentiated from other conditions, such as vitamin deficiencies, that can also cause tongue inflammation.

The appearance of strawberry tongue is characterized by a bright red discoloration of the surface of the tongue. It also is associated with a change in the texture of the tongue; the surface of the tongue becomes bumpier because inflammation increases the size of the tastebuds. Many people describe this finding as a looking like a strawberry because of similarities in color and texture between the tongue and the fruit. This condition must be differentiated, of course, from other causes of tongue staining, such as eating red candy or a red popsicle. Having this tongue condition is most closely linked to a childhood illness called scarlet fever. This disease is caused by infection of bacteria called Streptococcus pyogenes. People who have scarlet fever also experience symptoms such as fever, chills, a sandpaper-like skin rash and a sore throat. It can be treated with antibiotics. Ad Other bacterial infections also can be associated with strawberry tongue. One is toxic shock syndrome, a disease that can be caused by the bacterial species Streptoccoccus pyogenes or Staphylococcus aureus. This syndrome can be life-threatening, causing symptoms such as fever, low blood pressure and rash.

Another cause of strawberry tongue in children is Kawasaki syndrome, also known as mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome. It causes additional symptoms such as rash, enlarged lymph nodes , eye inflammation and generalized redness and swelling of the mouth and nose. Recognizing and treating this infection is critical because it can have side effects such as the development of coronary artery aneurysms, which can be fatal. Some other causes of tongue inflammation can mimic strawberry tongue. For example, vitamin deficiencies such as a lack of dietary vitamin B12 can cause the tongue to become red and inflamed, a condition called glossitis . Vitamin deficiencies typically do not cause inflammation of the taste buds, but they can cause erosion and irritation of the corners of the lips. Ad Scarletina | Article about Scarletina by The Free Dictionary Scarletina | Article about Scarletina by The Free Dictionary Related to Scarletina: scarlet fever , scarlatina scarlet fever scarlatina, an acute, communicable infection, caused by group A hemolytic streptococcal bacteria (see streptococcus streptococcus , any of a group of gram-positive bacteria, genus Streptococcus, some of which cause disease.

Streptococci are spherical and divide by fission, but they remain attached and so grow in beadlike chains. ..... Click the link for more information. ) that produce an erythrogenic toxin. The disease is now uncommon, probably because antibiotic therapy has lessened the likelihood of spread. It occurs in young children, usually between two and eight years of age, and is spread by droplet spray from carriers and from individuals who have contracted the disease. The incubation period is from three to five days, and infectivity lasts about two weeks. Scarlet fever may be mild or severe, but it is rarely fatal if treated. Typical symptoms are sore throat, headache, fever, flushed face with a ring of pallor about the mouth, red spots in the mouth, coated tongue with raw beefy appearance and inflamed papillae underneath it (strawberry tongue), and a characteristic eruption on the body. The streptococcal bacterium that causes scarlet fever is identical to the streptococcal pharyngitis (strep throat) organism, the difference being the production of a toxin to which the patient is susceptible in the case of scarlet fever.

Severe infections are occasionally complicated by rheumatic fever, kidney disease, ear infection, pneumonia, meningitis, or encephalitis. Mild scarlet fever requires only bed rest, antibiotics, analgesics or antipyretics, and symptomatic treatment. Antibiotics, immune serum, and antitoxin may be required for severe cases. Scarlet fever An acute contagious disease that results from infection with Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococci). It most often accompanies pharyngeal (throat) infections with this organism but is occasionally associated with wound infection or septicemia. Scarlet fever is characterized by the appearance, about 2 days after development of pharyngitis, of a red rash that blanches under pressure and has a sandpaper texture. Usually the rash appears first on the trunk and neck and spreads to the extremities. The rash fades after a week, with desquamation, or peeling, generally occurring during convalescence. The disease is usually self-limiting, although severe forms are occasionally seen with high fever and systemic toxicity. Appropriate antibiotic therapy is recommended to prevent the onset in susceptible individuals of rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease.

See Medical bacteriology , Rheumatic fever , Streptococcus Scarlet Fever an acute infectious disease occurring mainly in childhood and manifested by fever, sore throat, and a rash. The first clinical description of scarlet fever was given in the 17th century by T. Sydenham, who also gave the disease its name. The causative agent of scarlet fever is a β-hemolytic streptococcus, which belongs to Group A and forms a toxin. The infection is transmitted by infected persons or by carriers. It is mainly airborne, but occasionally occurs through contact with an infected person’s belongings. Scarlet fever is mainly a disease of children up to the age of six or seven. Its incidence increases in the autumn and winter months, and periodic rises in incidence are noted every four to six years. Persons who have recovered from the disease develop specific immunity, with relapse occurring in 1.5–4 percent of the cases. Immunity is determined by observing the skin’s reaction to an inoculated toxin (the Dick test). The incubation period of scarlet fever averages two to seven days. The onset of the disease is acute and is marked by fever, lethargy, malaise, vomiting, and sore throat.

The mucosa of the throat becomes bright red, and spots sometimes appear on the palatine tonsils. The superficial cervical lymph nodes swell and become painful. On the first or occasionally the second day of the disease, a bright-pink or red punctate rash appears on the entire body. The tongue acquires a grayish white coating, which disappears by the fourth or fifth day of the disease; the tongue then becomes bright red and granular (raspberry tongue). The disease continues for three to six more days. After the rash disappears, large portions of the skin peel off. Scarlet fever may be mild, moderately severe, or severe. The severe form may be toxic, with pronounced symptoms of toxic affection of the nervous and cardiovascular systems. It may also be septic, with severe inflammation of the throat and a tendency to develop suppurative foci. When the severe form is toxicoseptic, both sets of symptoms are combined. The mild form of the disease predominates, and complications, which are observed in the severe form, seldom occur. Such complications include purulent cervical lymphadenitis, otitis, inflammation of the accessory cavities of the nose and joints, affection of the heart, nephritis, and sepsis.

With modern methods of treatment, fatality has been reduced to tenths or hundredths of 1 percent. A very mild form of the disease, lacking in many of the symptoms, is often observed. Scarlet fever is treated with antibiotics; the toxic form is treated with antitoxic scarlet-fever serum. Various therapeutic means are used to treat complications. Infected persons are isolated for at least ten days; with severe forms of the disease or when living conditions are unfavorable, children are hospitalized. Preschoolers and pupils in the first two grades are permitted to return to school 12 days after the end of the isolation period. Healthy children who have been in contact with infected persons are quarantined for seven days. The premises occupied by infected persons are subjected to regular disinfection. REFERENCE 5 Underlining Reasons for Strawberry Tongue | Health And Nutrition Tips Health And Nutrition Tips Strawberry Tongue 5 Underlining Reasons for Strawberry Tongue If your loved one or child has a deep red tint to their tongue with small blister sores, then they probably have a strawberry tongue. Although children are usually most affected by strawberry tongue, adults can get it too.

This condition should be considered as a red flag because it shows that the sore tongue is only a symptom of a much bigger medical problem. There are five main medical reasons for the appearance of strawberry tongue. Some of these reasons can even be life threatening, especially for toddlers or pre teen children. Their immune systems are not yet able to fully handle the diseases related to this condition. Scarlet fever is an illness that is related to strawberry tongue. This disease happens when the bacteria streptococcus invades the body. But every child that comes in contact with the bacteria may not be affected. For example, if two children from the same families are infected with streptococcus, one may come down with Scarlett fever but the other may just get a normal strep throat. The strep throat can be easily treated with an antibiotic. For some children the strep bacteria turns into toxic poison within the body. Along with the red tongue, these children also get a rash that appears to look like sunburn and can be itchy. Small blisters can also form. The rash starts on the neck and face and quickly spreads to other areas of the body. A fever and swollen lymph nodes can also be seen.

If properly treated with antibiotics, Scarlett fever can be cured in around a week. Deficiencies of certain vitamins can be a contributing factor to strawberry tongue. Folic acid and B-12 deficiencies can make a person anemic. This affects red blood cell production by reducing the cells efficiency. This opens the body up to more than a few health problems, like difficulty breathing and intestinal issues. Incorporating more vitamins into your diet can help clear up this condition. Along with pills that have to be taken for a full four months. Kawasaki syndrome is a condition that mostly affects children under the age of five. It isn't clear what causes this disease but some of the symptoms include a high fever, swollen lymph nodes, a rash on the abdominal area and a swollen red tongue. This disease can be cleared up with the proper medication but only if it is identified immediately. If it goes unnoticed, it can cause serious heart valve damage. Geographic tongue is a condition that can be irritating. White or bald patches appear on the tongue and although it is not a serious problem, if it persists for two weeks or longer you must see a physician. It is not known what exactly causes geographic tongue but it mostly affects women and people with compromised immune systems.

It also has a genetic background because most people who acquire it have siblings with the same problem. Bacterial toxic shock syndrome has been associated with strawberry tongue. This condition may be fatal if not immediately diagnosed. It is caused by toxins produced by staphylococcus bacteria and has many symptoms. A high fever, extreme headache, sore throat and rashes are seen with this disease. Most cases of toxic shock syndrome are related to women and tampon use but anyone can get the disease. The treatments for the disease include an intravenous drip with anti resistant antibiotics and maybe even dialysis, to remove the bacteria from the blood. If you see any of these symptoms especially in children, seek medical help immediately. Most of the underlining reasons for strawberry tongue can easily be corrected by your doctor. Information on this web site is provided for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Copyright © 2009 All rights reserved. Scarlet Fever Symptoms and Treatment Scarlet Fever Symptoms and Treatment Scarlet Fever Symptoms and Treatment A throat infection, high fever, and a body rash are signs of scarlet fever. Identify more symptoms and learn how to give the proper treatment. Comments What Is Scarlet Fever?

Scarlet fever is a common infectious disease caused by group A streptococcus. The bacteria infects the throat and releases a toxin that leads to a rash all over the body. The incubation period for the infection is less than one week, and the rash usually breaks out on the second day. The strep infection is spread by droplets during coughing and sneezing, and by direct contact with infected body fluids such as saliva. Most children with strep throat do not develop scarlet fever, as only certain types of group A strep bacteria make the toxin that causes the rash. Contrary to popular belief, the infection is not more serious because of the rash. In rare cases, scarlet fever can occur as a result of a skin infection, impetigo, caused by the same strep bacteria. Symptoms and Signs of Scarlet Fever A child with strep throat usually feels quite ill, and often complains of a stomachache, nausea, and headache. The infection can spread to other areas, including the ears, tonsils, and sinuses. The child may vomit, but diarrhea is uncommon, as are runny nose, cough, and other cold symptoms.

The tongue may be covered by a whitish or yellowish coating ("strawberry" tongue) that flakes off after a while and leaves a bright red-colored tongue ("raspberry" tongue). Scarlet fever usually starts with the following symptoms: Red and sore throat Swollen lymph nodes on the neck Enlarged tonsils with a white coating and painful swallowing The itchy rash usually appears first on the neck and face but not the area around the mouth. It then spreads all over the body and looks like a pink sunburn, with small bumps that look like goosebumps or sandpaper. The rash is most noticeable in the folds of the skin (the armpits, the groin, inside the elbow, around the neck) and becomes paler when you press on it. After a few days, the rash disappears and the skin can flake off, especially in the groin area and on the fingertips, which can last up to 10 days. How to Prevent Scarlet Fever It is not easy to prevent your child from becoming infected by streptococci bacteria.

Always wash your hands well every time you are near an infected child, and if other members of the family show signs of a sore throat, they should ask the doctor for a strep test. It usually takes four to five days to recover from scarlet fever, so make sure your child is fully recovered before he goes back to day care or school. Treatment for Scarlet Fever Scarlet fever cannot be treated at home and needs a doctor's immediate attention. The doctor will administer a strep test and prescribe antibiotics, usually some form of penicillin, unless your child is allergic to it. It is important to that the child take the medicine as directed and to complete the entire course. Contact the doctor again if your child continues to have a sore throat or fever after the antibiotic treatment is finished. In some cases, it may be necessary to repeat the strep test. The rash needs no treatment. You can follow these general guidelines to help your child recover, but make sure to consult your doctor first to make sure they are recommended: Give the child plenty to drink to soothe the throat and increase hydration. Give soft, bland foods, as solids may be difficult to swallow. Cold treats such as Popsicles and ice cream may be comforting.

Allow older children to gargle warm saltwater to relieve throat pain. Turn on a humidifier, or vaporizer, to make a room more comfortable, especially in cold weather when it can get dry. Give acetaminophen (Children's Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Children's Advil) to relive fever and pain. Infected tonsils can develop into a more serious infection called a peritonsillar abscess, which often requires drainage with surgery. The strep bacteria can also spread into the bloodstream, causing blood poisoning (sepsis) and organ infection. A sick child should be isolated from the rest of the family as much as possible, to avoid the spread of the infection, so keep your child home from day care or school for at least one day after starting the antibiotics. After 24 hours on antibiotics, your child is no longer considered to be contagious. Copyright ? 2012 Meredith Corporation. All content on this Web site, including medical opinion and any other health-related information, is for informational purposes only and should not be considered to be a specific diagnosis or treatment plan for any individual situation. Use of this site and the information contained herein does not create a doctor-patient relationship.

Always seek the direct advice of your own doctor in connection with any questions or issues you may have regarding your own health or the health of others. What your tongue can tell you - Women's Health - Canoe.com What your tongue can tell you What your tongue can tell you Overview Health Column It's not for nothing that doctors and wellness practitioners in many medical systems around the world all ask their patients to open up and say "ahhh." A close look at your tongue (and everything else you can see inside your mouth) can reveal much about the overall state of your health. Surface changes: Run your fingertip across the surface of your tongue, and you should feel lots of tiny nodules that feel slightly hairy or fuzzy. These nodules are called papillae, and they're actually small hairs between which your taste buds are scattered. Changes to these hairs may have no rhyme or reason and be totally harmless, or they may be a symptom of an underlying condition. Smooth: Your tongue may feel smooth due to a nutritional deficiency. A pale, smooth tongue could be a sign of iron-deficiency anemia or a lack of B vitamins, which are important to the body's use of food for energy.

Map-like patches: If you spot patchy lesions on the tongue that seem to change location from day to day, you may have a harmless but sometimes uncomfortable condition called geographic tongue. It is thought that B vitamin deficiency may be to blame for this tongue surface change, but it could also be due to irritation by alcohol or certain foods. Wrinkled: A tongue that bears grooves, wrinkles, or furrows could be scrotal tongue, a harmless, usually inborn condition that can rarely cause burning sensations when spicy foods are eaten and make it difficult to keep the tongue properly clean and clear of bacteria. Sores or bumps: We've all bitten our tongue at one time or another, perhaps hard enough to leave a sore spot. In some instances, a spot on the tongue can be a result of something more than surface trauma. A bump on top of the tongue could be a warning of bacterial or viral infection or of an allergic reaction to a food or medication. Canker sores more often pop up on the underside of the tongue, and can be identified by a round, red border and yellow or white centre.

A white or gray lesion with a hard surface that feels thick and raised from the tongue could be leukoplakia, a disorder of the mucous membranes caused by irritation from dentures, crowns, fillings, or tobacco use. Hairy leukoplakia, which occurs in people with weakened immune systems due to illnesses like HIV or the Epstein-Barr virus, appears as a fuzzy, white lesion that usually crops up on the side of the tongue. A sore or lump on one side of the tongue may be a sign of cancer and should be looked at by a doctor. Untreated syphilis can develop into a cancer on the top of the tongue. Colour changes: You've probably noticed how your tongue can change colour depending on what you eat (remember all of the rainbow colours you could achieve as a kid sucking on popsicles?). Variance from the usual healthy pink may be a sign that you're overdoing it with certain habits – or it could signal an underlying condition. Black: From time to time, a person's tongue may take on a black, hairy appearance. "Black hairy tongue" is a harmless, temporary, but unsightly overgrowth of tongue "hair" (papillae) that traps bacteria and other mouth debris.

Poor oral hygiene could be the culprit, as could mouth-breathing, excessive use of tobacco, mouthwashes, some antibiotics, or bismuth-based stomach medications (e.g., Pepto-Bismol). Along with the colour change, you might notice a metallic taste in your mouth and generally bad breath. Brush, floss, and try using a tongue scraper to remove bacteria. Black hairy tongue resolves on its own, but check with a doctor if symptoms last beyond 10 days or so. Yellow: As in the case of black hairy tongue, an overgrowth of papillae on the tongue can trap bacteria and appear yellow. These small hairs that coat the tongue can become inflamed by, among other things, smoking, fever, mouth-breathing, and dehydration. Improve your oral hygiene, and the yellow hue should subside. White: White tongue often means the same thing as black or yellow tongue - bacteria stuck in dense tongue hair. And it shares some of the same causes, too: smoking, dehydration, dry mouth due to mouth-breathing. The white look means there are bacteria, dead cells, and debris wedged in the papillae.

Pay special attention to your brushing and flossing habits, and add a tongue scraper to your oral hygiene routine. Less commonly, a pale, smooth tongue indicates anemia, and a white film on the tongue could be a sign of oral thrush, a type yeast infection. Red: A red tongue more often signals underlying problems in children's health. A strawberry or raspberry-coloured tongue can be one of the first symptoms of scarlet fever or Kawasaki disease. Adults less often manifest these signs. But if your mouth hurts and your tongue looks smooth and red, your diet may be deficient in niacin, an important B vitamin. Brown: A spot on the tongue that has turned brown or otherwise darkly discoloured could possibly be a form of skin cancer called melanoma. Any time that you notice pain, burning, swelling, changes in your ability to taste, abnormal movements, or difficulty moving the tongue, do not hesitate to see a doctor. Amy Toffelmire

Question: What disease is shown by a rash and a strawberry coloured tongue
Answer: Scarlet fever